The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-04-27
" "0LD MRS. COLE"
Rs. A. WEISS.


''Well, l do declare, Mrs. Stebbins
So you've been up to Barnvile, and never
let a soul of us know about it7n
"Oh," said Mrs. Stcbbins, as she
alighted from wagon at her own door,
and shook hands with Miss Naylor. who
happened to be passing, ''you see, only
went for day and u night, so didn't
think it worth while to advertise it on the
church-door! l wanted to buy some dry
goods and kitchen things, and they're
cheaper in Barnville than in little place
like this. And besides, there's my niece,
Maria, whom hadn't seen since her last
baby was born, and she and the baby both
in poor health. So 1 thought l might as
well go up, and so kill two birds with
one stone.n
"To-be-sure! And how did you find
Maria and the babyl And how are all
the folks in Barnvillel"
'Well, l was glad to find them two
looking pretty smart and spry; and as for
the rest, didn't hear of anybody being
sick or in trouble, unless twas old Mrs.
Cole"
"Ah! So old Mrs. Coles sick?" said
Miss Naylor, with look of aroused inter
est. "AHd what is it ails her this timer"
"Why, nothing much, reckon. l did
hear Marin holler to little Betty Cole, and
ask how her gran ma was to-day; and she
said bout the same rs yesterday. Maria
asked if the fever was gone down but
just then Jeems came in to dinner, so
didn't hear the rest, and forgot to ask
Maria about Mrs. Cole
AWell, we'll! I'm sorry to hear she's
3 poor soul for she's IA good woman,
a. we can't easy afford to spare such.
But she's well on in years, and I've been
ruther expectin' to hear of her being took
down, considerin' she's over sixty But
law me! l mustn't keep you standin' here
in the street, and you just come home.
Good-by and depend upon me for comm
round soon to see what pretty things
you've brought" A."
With this Miss Naylor turned away,
and with her basket on her arm pro
ceeded to the store for a supply of groce-
ries.
There she found Mrs. Brown, the house
carpenters wife, engaged in cheapening
calico.
"You amt as smart as Miss Stebbins, ~
said Miss Mayor, as the two critically
examined the quality of the calico. "She S
been up to Barnville, and laid in lot of
dry-goOds and things, for the sake of
saving about twenty-five cents or so. For
my part, l go for encouraging home
trade
''Well, I don't know, " Mrs. Brown re-
piled, doubtfully. "Seems TO me every
body's bound to look out for their own
interest, and l confess I'd be willing to
go little out O. the way to save twenty
five cents. But what did Sally Stebbins
say was the news in Barnvilleln
/ "Nothing, except that old Miss Coles
down with fever. Miss Stebbins said she
was no better when she left. She's over
/ sixty, and l wouldn't be surprised TO hear
/ of her death any minute
Il wonder if John Coles wife knows
of it, She ought to be told, for her hus-
bands mother was second cousin TO old
Mrs. Cole, and they've got the same
family name, and always been friendly.
If she dies, they'll of course so to the
funeral, as they did when the old man
died, four years ago"
Then Miss NayloI turned TO the grocer
les. and Mrs Brown, having concluded
her bargain by peTsuading the merchant
to take a basket of dried apples in par
payment for his goods, left the store anC
took her way homeward, well pleased.
Meeting a neighbor on the way, th'
two stopped to exchange greetings ant
inquire the news.
THAT reminds me, )" said Mrs. Brown
promptly. 1--WE jest this minute parteC
from Liza Naylor, and she told me Iha
she'd seen Mrs Stebbins, who's jest from
Barnyille, and left old Mrs. Cole as low
as could be with fever. Liza said the,
were every minute expecting her death